I tried a search on "rocker arm assembley" and "rockers" with no results. I removed set of rocker arms today just for the fun of it. A little intimidating for first time. So each rocker arm is made up of springs, rockers, blocks, a shaft, and the keepers/cotters at each end. Main shaft has oiler holes that face the head. All the rockers get oil holes from the bottom of the shaft. Only one of the four blocks gets an oil hole and this hole is larger than the holes that oil the rockers. The blocks mount with the writing at the bottom, facing the water pump side of the engine. The rockers slide off the shaft fairly easy, the blocks need to be tapped.

Once disambled, the push rods and rockers go back in the same position they were dismantled in. Once rockers are put back together, bolt the blocks to the heads and adjust the shaft to line the rocker arms up to the pushrods.

This was my observation by "trial and error". I could use a little advise on what I have done wrong and how I could do it correct. I did have a little trouble getting the blocks back on the shaft. I had to use a piece of PVC and "tap" the blocks in place. Once there, I would install springs and rockers until it was time for another block.

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

I found some previous threads on this subject. One really got my attention. It was stated the oil holes in the rocker shaft face up, not down. If they are down, the post said they can not get oil to the rockers, it just drains out the holes in the bottom. So one question for sure, do the oil holes face up or down?  Another question im going to get around to is the option of "pressurizing" the rocker assembley. There was some concern that his might add  too much oil and cause the engine to smoke and burn oil. I think that was explained in a your tube video by Mctim. He actually did two videos, one of getting rid of the stock oil tubes and pressurizing the shaft, and, another showing there is not excess of oil being added to the top of the head under the rocker assembley. I was actually quite impressed by Mctims option of "pressurizing" the rocker shaft.

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

The oil holes go on the bottom.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Thanks Hurricane, thats the way they were when I removed them. Guess the guy before me got it correct then.

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

So I stumbled across another hole on the opposite side of the rocker shaft. There are actually two blocks (I guess the proper name is lift?) that get oil. One towards the center of the block gets oil from the head and the one at the end of the shaft supplies the oil tube. Man it would be easy to over look these and plug your oil supply.

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

the oil tube insures circulation and drains into a chanel that gives oil to timing chain,the other side drains into the dist gear end. I have blocked the the tubes as it is more important for rockers to get plenty of lube. had 1 stand that was  the lubehole leaking at the base causing spray onto intake valve ,and some smoke. so i made sure the stand was flat. also ct a grove in the stand with a flatened drill bit in the drill press,to acomidate a small oring.no more smoke and lots of oil to rockers and valve train. as others i feel when you have cast rockers runing on hard steal shafts ther should be constant pressure to rocker shaft. the other  isue in my opinion is use a good 10-30 oil as it insures oil suply when engine is cold. most yblock rocker isues started with poor serviceing re oil change etce.if you reserch load that most,10-30 oils will handel it is verry close to so called raceing oils. also with pressure at rockers ther is plenty of leak by for timeing chain lube, and dit gear.the other resuls of lighter oil is cam lube is quicker,re rod oilholes and othe leakage

I have two yblock cars.  One is a 56 Bird which I have driven to the west coat from the east coast twice and has an engine with undetermined miles although the heads have been redone..  I run the drain tubes in the stock setup.  I have no oiling problems with it this way.In the other car, it has a modified but not a race car engine.  I have done some long drives with this (but not like the Bird) and have no oil related problems.In a race car, I can see blocking the drain tubes, a street car - no. I know others disagree, but that's my feeling. I like the idea that the distributor and timing chain are getting a good supply of oil.I believe people have done a modified version on the return tubes by inserting a plug in the tube that is drilled for some oil to get through but not the full volume.



54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Thanks Paul,

I have a modified set of arms from Tim McMaster and I really like the video's he's done on You Tube explaining the modification and the follow up showing why he feels there is no excess of oil caused by the modification. That modification has been out there long enough I was hoping to hear from others how it had worked for them. I have not installed mine yet, and am looking at modifying another set in the near future.

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

the mods on the video are great,i did a couple with a plate and gasket. just did a set as the video showed,the hole in the stand is corect for a 5/16 tap and just need a bolt turned down,i used a screw so ther was clearance when tightning the stand bolts. great vidio

Ah!  Pressurizing the rocker assembly.. another controversial modification. Good for the rocker assembly, but what about the reduced oiling to the distributor at one end & the Timing Chain at the other end? There have been further posts in the past about ensuring enough oil to those parts. Best check it out further if anyone plans to block off the rocker tube drain tubes.. Maybe "Ted" can direct you to those posts?   


Paul